Which sci-fi classic made the National Film Registry in 2012?

Every year, the National Film Registry selects a handful of films "culturally significant" enough to be preserved in its archive, and we're always happy when a sci-fi flick makes the cut. This year's group of films has just been announced, and sci-fi has a representative again. But which film is it?

This year the registry's list of 25 films includes the 1999 blockbuster The Matrix, written and directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski. It joins the likes of Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Planet of the Apes and George Pal's War of the Worlds adaptation (last year's sci-fi entry) among the registry's genre film contingent.

Since 1989 the registry has been charged by Congress with selecting 25 films every year for inclusion in the archive. The films must be at least 10 years old and be "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant to America.

"These films are not selected as the 'best' American films of all time but rather as works of enduring importance to American culture," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. "They reflect who we are as people and as a nation."

The 2012 class of National Film Registry inductees also includes classics like Breakfast at Tiffany's, A Christmas Story, Dirty Harry, Anatomy of a Murder, Slacker and A League of Their Own, bringing the registry's total number of films to 600.

You might be sad to note that only one sci-fi flick out of 25 was included in this year's list, but there's actually a way you can help change that next year. The National Film Preservation Board accepts nominations for the registry every year, so if you'd like your favorite flick to be included you can let the board know by going here.

What do you think? Does The Matrix deserve to be in the registry? What films are long overdue for inclusion?